You Don’t Have to Try So Hard

November 2, 2016

I felt cursed!

As a teenager that was pretty much how I felt. As a redhead, I was born with blonde eyelashes and eyebrows while all of my friends had deliciously dark lashes and brows. I was always envious and even with mascara mine didn’t look the same. Hey, even my brother had long, luxurious eyelashes. It felt unfair and frustrating. I was sure I was cursed.

Melodramatic? Maybe, but you know how teenagers are.

I wanted to fit in!

Thankfully, my feelings have changed since then. I’m more at peace with myself. Yes, I know I could change my brows with permanent makeup and I could dye my lashes. But…

I realized that’s not for me.

I love taking off my makeup at night and seeing a familiar face in all its pale glory! While I also love makeup and being able to add more drama strategically, I like to know that I can return to my natural face whenever I want to.

Do you suffer quietly because you don’t feel like you measure up? Or, because you feel like you have to change things about yourself before you are accepted (by others and even yourself)? If so, you are not alone—I see and hear it every day from women with whom I work and I sometimes catch myself comparing what I see in the mirror to others.

That’s why when my partner, Marion, who works in the world of self-esteem, shared with me this beautiful and touching music video by Colbie Caillat, I knew I had to spread the word.